The Pro Football Hall of Fame has narrowed its class of 2014 to 25 semifinalists. Four former Broncos made the cut: Safeties Steve Atwater and John Lynch, running back Terrell Davis and linebacker/defensive end Karl Mecklenburg.

Karl Mecklenburg lined up at seven different positions in his Ring of Fame career with the Broncos. (The Denver Post

The modern-era ballot will be reduced to 15 on Jan. 8. The selection committee will elect no more than five modern-era candidates for the Hall of Fame on Feb. 1 in New Jersey, the eve of Super Bowl XVIII.

This is the seventh consecutive year Davis has made the cut to 25 but he has yet to advance to the final 15. Atwater and Mecklenburg are semifinalists for a third consecutive year. Lynch reached the final 25 for a second consecutive year.

For the unveiling of the Broncos’ new Ring of Fame Plaza at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, it was a dark and stormy night.

“Hey, this is O-line weather,” said Tom Nalen, the man of the moment.

Artist’s rendering of Ring of Fame Plaza (Provided by Denver Broncos)

The starting center for the Broncos’ two Super Bowl title teams will become the 24th member of the Ring of Fame during his induction ceremony at halftime of the Broncos-Philadelphia Eagles game Sunday.

The Ring of Fame is nice, as the names of the former star Broncos are displayed along the upper deck facade of the stadium. The Ring of Fame Plaza brings a classy touch of reverence.

DOVE VALLEY — John Lynch and Tom Nalen have joined the official list of former Broncos to be considered for enshrinement in the Hall of Fame.

Lynch and Nalen are among a group of 13 players in their first year of eligibility, and part of a broader list of 127 nominees.

From that list, the Hall of Fame selection committee with select 25 semifinalists, and further narrowed to 15 modern era finalists. That final group, along with any senior committee finalists, will be debated by the full selection committee Super Bowl weekend in New Orleans.

Rod Smith, the Broncos’ career receiving leader, is among 103 players/coaches/contributors — and five Broncos — on the preliminary eligibility list for joining the 2012 class in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

This is Smith’s first time on the list. Smith, who holds all of the Broncos main receiving records, also holds NFL records for receiving milestones for an undrafted player.

Mike Klis has been with The Denver Post since 1998, after working 13 years with the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. Major League Baseball was Klis' initial passion. He started covering the Colorado Rockies after Coors Field was approved for construction in August 1990.

Nicki Jhabvala is the Sports Digital News Editor for The Denver Post. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor, and she was most recently the overnight home page editor at the New York Times. She has reported regularly on the Broncos since joining the staff.

A published author and award-winning journalist, Benjamin Hochman is a sports columnist for The Denver Post. He previously worked on the staff of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, winners of two Pulitzer Prizes for their Hurricane Katrina coverage.